<p>A study by the Lithuanian Equal Rights Ombudsman shows that foreigners in Lithuania face obstacles when they want to rent housing; a public media experiment suggests that the situation depends on several factors. A study conducted by the Ombudsman last year found that foreigners who want to rent housing face refusals without explanation, their information [&#8230;]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://bnn-news.com/the-rental-market-in-lithuania-a-roadblock-for-foreigners-276874">The rental market in Lithuania: a roadblock for foreigners</a> appeared first on <a href="https://bnn-news.com">Baltic News Network</a>.</p>

<p>A criminal case will most likely be initiated in Latvia to verify materials related to the case of convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, State Police Chief Armands Ruks said on Tuesday in an interview with TV3. The State Police have currently launched a review of the latest Epstein case materials published last week, in [&#8230;]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://bnn-news.com/we-need-specific-names-police-on-the-investigation-of-the-epstein-case-in-latvia-276869">“We need specific names”: police on the investigation of the Epstein case in Latvia</a> appeared first on <a href="https://bnn-news.com">Baltic News Network</a>.</p>

<p>Since April 2022, when a law prohibiting the use of symbols glorifying aggression came into force, the police have initiated more than 1,000 violation procedures, writes Estonian public media ERR News. Following Russia&#8217;s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Estonia made changes to its legislation to prohibit the use of symbols glorifying Russian aggression. [&#8230;]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://bnn-news.com/prohibited-symbolism-in-estonia-1000-violations-and-lawyers-objections-276864">Prohibited symbolism in Estonia: 1,000 violations and lawyer&#8217;s objections</a> appeared first on <a href="https://bnn-news.com">Baltic News Network</a>.</p>

<p>The LETA news agency has learned that the procedural actions are taking place as part of an investigation being carried out in cooperation with the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO). Liepāja municipality’s Executive Director Ronalds Fricbergs, who represents the holder of the hospital’s shares, confirmed to LETA that KNAB officials are conducting procedural actions at [&#8230;]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://bnn-news.com/knab-conducts-searches-at-ogre-and-liepaja-hospitals-276859">KNAB conducts searches at Ogre and Liepāja hospitals</a> appeared first on <a href="https://bnn-news.com">Baltic News Network</a>.</p>

<p>Millions of people around the world are forming emotional connections with artificial intelligence chatbots, and experts have warned that politicians should take this more seriously, reports Politico. An assessment of the development of artificial intelligence and its risks released on the 2nd of February included a warning about chatbots designed to connect with people. The [&#8230;]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://bnn-news.com/experts-artificial-intelligence-is-not-the-best-friend-276854">Experts: Artificial intelligence is not the best friend</a> appeared first on <a href="https://bnn-news.com">Baltic News Network</a>.</p>

<p>A Riga city court on Monday closed a civil case after billionaire Pjotrs Avens withdrew his defamation lawsuit against Foreign Minister Baiba Braže (New Unity) over her remarks to the newspaper Diena, LETA was informed by the court. Avens had filed a lawsuit against Braže and the publishing house Dienas Bizness, demanding a retraction of [&#8230;]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://bnn-news.com/billionaire-avens-drops-defamation-lawsuit-against-braze-276850">Billionaire Avens drops defamation lawsuit against Braže</a> appeared first on <a href="https://bnn-news.com">Baltic News Network</a>.</p>

<p>Ukrainian Defense Minister says efforts to block Russia from accessing Starlink satellites it uses to control drones have already yielded tangible results, BBC reports. Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov called SpaceX founder Elon Musk a true defender of freedom and a true friend of Ukrainians. The minister said Musk had been quick to respond to [&#8230;]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://bnn-news.com/ukraine-praises-starlink-restrictions-on-russians-276845">Ukraine praises Starlink restrictions on Russians</a> appeared first on <a href="https://bnn-news.com">Baltic News Network</a>.</p>

<p>The coalition has reached a conceptual agreement on two main approaches through which the state could provide support to residents and businesses in response to rising heating costs, Economy Minister Viktors Valainis said. The minister explained that one possible solution could be support for companies to enable the introduction of split or equalised payments for [&#8230;]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://bnn-news.com/heating-bills-rise-in-latvia-the-government-promises-support-276840">Heating bills rise in Latvia – the government promises support</a> appeared first on <a href="https://bnn-news.com">Baltic News Network</a>.</p>

<p>In the first half of the week, the weather will remain not only cold but also dry. Under the influence of colder air masses, nighttime temperatures across much of the country will drop to –20°C or even lower, according to the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre. During the daytime, however, air temperatures will mostly [&#8230;]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://bnn-news.com/from-bitter-cold-to-wetter-weather-how-conditions-will-change-in-latvia-this-week-276835">From bitter cold to wetter weather: how conditions will change in Latvia this week</a> appeared first on <a href="https://bnn-news.com">Baltic News Network</a>.</p>

<p>At the annual Groundhog Day celebrations in the United States, the famous weather-forecasting groundhog — Phil — has made his prediction about how long winter will last. Every year on the 2nd of February, thousands of people gather in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to witness the tradition that dates back to the late 19th century. According to [&#8230;]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://bnn-news.com/famous-weather-prognosticator-phil-has-issued-his-groundhog-day-forecast-276831">Famous weather prognosticator Phil has issued his Groundhog Day forecast</a> appeared first on <a href="https://bnn-news.com">Baltic News Network</a>.</p>

<p>German customs officials on the 2nd of February detained five men who allegedly violated the European Union embargo on Russia by exporting industrial products to Russian arms manufacturers, writes Politico. According to the investigation, the detainees organized about 16,000 deliveries to Russia, and the illegal payments amount to at least 30 million euros. The arrests [&#8230;]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://bnn-news.com/five-arrested-in-germany-for-illegal-export-of-goods-to-russia-276826">Five arrested in Germany for illegal export of goods to Russia</a> appeared first on <a href="https://bnn-news.com">Baltic News Network</a>.</p>

<p>British military bases saw a surge in drone sightings in 2025, highlighting the changing nature of warfare and prompting the government to give the armed forces greater powers to protect their airspace, Reuters reports. In 2025, 266 drone sightings were reported near defence facilities, up from 126 in 2024. Drone sightings in Britain echo a [&#8230;]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://bnn-news.com/drone-sightings-near-british-military-bases-double-last-year-276821">Drone sightings near British military bases double last year</a> appeared first on <a href="https://bnn-news.com">Baltic News Network</a>.</p>

<p>Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna has indicated that one way to combat illegal border crossings could be to close it, writes ERR News. Tsahkna said that the Estonian government does not yet see any direct threats to security that would require immediate border closure, but it is considered one of the possible scenarios. Currently, the [&#8230;]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://bnn-news.com/estonians-consider-closing-border-with-russia-276818">Estonians consider closing border with Russia</a> appeared first on <a href="https://bnn-news.com">Baltic News Network</a>.</p>

<p>A new phase in relations between Latvia and the United States will begin soon, as the new US ambassador is expected to arrive in Riga. Her agenda is expected to focus on continuing close political, security, and economic cooperation. The United States has long been one of Latvia’s most important strategic partners, particularly in the [&#8230;]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://bnn-news.com/a-new-us-ambassador-to-arrive-in-riga-soon-strengthening-bilateral-cooperation-276814">A new US ambassador to arrive in Riga soon, strengthening bilateral cooperation</a> appeared first on <a href="https://bnn-news.com">Baltic News Network</a>.</p>

<p>Last year, representatives of various sectors, including politicians, took advantage of opportunities to travel on paid visits to China, and following such trips individuals often consciously—and in some cases unconsciously—became lobbyists for China’s interests, according to the State Security Service’s (VDD) annual report on its activities last year. As in previous years, Latvia was not [&#8230;]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://bnn-news.com/after-paid-trips-to-china-representatives-of-various-sectors-have-become-lobbyists-for-chinas-interests-vdd-concludes-276809">After paid trips to China, representatives of various sectors have become lobbyists for China’s interests, VDD concludes</a> appeared first on <a href="https://bnn-news.com">Baltic News Network</a>.</p>

<p>Tens of thousands of Czechs took to the streets on the 1st of February to show their support for President Petr Pavel, who has refused to confirm a politician with a dubious reputation as a minister, the news agency Reuters writes. A friction has broken out between the president and the government in the Czech [&#8230;]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://bnn-news.com/czechs-take-to-the-streets-to-show-support-for-president-pavel-276804">Czechs take to the streets to show support for President Pavel</a> appeared first on <a href="https://bnn-news.com">Baltic News Network</a>.</p>

<p>Russia’s current attacks on civilian energy infrastructure are “essentially approaching genocide,” Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs said on Monday in an interview with LTV’s Rīta panorāma. According to the president, Russia’s destruction of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure during the harsh winter “amounts to yet more war crimes or, in effect, genocide.” The politician assessed that a diplomatic [&#8230;]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://bnn-news.com/this-is-essentially-genocide-latvias-president-on-russias-actions-in-ukraine-276799">“This is essentially genocide” – Latvia’s President on Russia’s actions in Ukraine</a> appeared first on <a href="https://bnn-news.com">Baltic News Network</a>.</p>

<p>Iran&#8217;s supreme leader Ali Khamenei has warned that any attacks on his country could spark a regional conflict, the BBC reports. Khamenei said the Americans should know that if they start a war, this time the war will spread throughout the region. US President Donald Trump has said that Iran is in serious talks and [&#8230;]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://bnn-news.com/irans-religious-leader-warns-of-regional-war-276795">Iran&#8217;s religious leader warns of regional war</a> appeared first on <a href="https://bnn-news.com">Baltic News Network</a>.</p>

<p>In the latest materials from the case of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein released on Friday, Latvia is mentioned as one of the possible locations for recruiting underage girls, Latvian Television (LTV) reported on its programme Panorāma. Latvia is mentioned in the documents more than 500 times in various contexts, while Riga appears more than [&#8230;]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://bnn-news.com/latvia-named-among-possible-recruitment-locations-for-underage-girls-in-newly-released-epstein-case-materials-276790">Latvia named among possible recruitment locations for underage girls in newly released Epstein case materials</a> appeared first on <a href="https://bnn-news.com">Baltic News Network</a>.</p>

<p>In the first half of the week, the weather will remain not only cold but also dry. Under the influence of colder air masses, nighttime temperatures across much of the country will drop to –20°C or even lower, according to the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre. The night into Monday, as well as the [&#8230;]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://bnn-news.com/frost-down-to-30c-the-start-of-the-week-in-latvia-will-be-especially-cold-276785">Frost down to –30°C: the start of the week in Latvia will be especially cold</a> appeared first on <a href="https://bnn-news.com">Baltic News Network</a>.</p>

<p>Last week, Minister of Economics Viktors Valainis (ZZS) called for an extraordinary meeting of the National Energy Crisis Centre due to rising heating bills, while this week Prime Minister Evika Siliņa (JV) stated that there is no energy crisis in the country and that she expects concrete solutions from the Minister of Economics on how [&#8230;]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://bnn-news.com/bnn-in-focus-latvia-is-facing-a-payment-crisis-not-an-energy-crisis-political-scientist-says-276778">BNN IN FOCUS | Latvia is facing a payment crisis, not an energy crisis – political scientist says</a> appeared first on <a href="https://bnn-news.com">Baltic News Network</a>.</p>

<p>The beverage producer AS Amber Latvijas balzams has submitted an application to the Riga City Court seeking the initiation of a legal protection (restructuring) process, the company said on Friday in a disclosure to the Nasdaq Riga stock exchange. The application has been filed in order to restructure the company’s financial obligations. The purpose of [&#8230;]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://bnn-news.com/amber-latvijas-balzams-seeks-legal-protection-state-revenue-service-freezes-accounts-276773">“Amber Latvijas balzams” seeks legal protection – State Revenue Service freezes accounts</a> appeared first on <a href="https://bnn-news.com">Baltic News Network</a>.</p>

<p>The new Dutch government, led by liberal Rob Jetten, has given hope to the region&#8217;s centrist forces, writes Politico. The government-forming process in the Netherlands is over, and the new government also wants to breathe new life into NATO. That is also the commitment of Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel. He told Politico that [&#8230;]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://bnn-news.com/new-dutch-government-wants-to-save-nato-276768">New Dutch government wants to save NATO</a> appeared first on <a href="https://bnn-news.com">Baltic News Network</a>.</p>

<p>Despite the apparent decline in illegal migration pressure during the winter months, Latvia’s Ministry of the Interior (MoI) does not currently plan to lift the enhanced border security regime along the border with Belarus, Interior Minister Rihards Kozlovskis (New Unity) has said. So far this year, no illegal border crossings have been detected along the [&#8230;]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://bnn-news.com/latvias-interior-ministry-cold-weather-is-no-reason-to-relax-enhanced-border-security-remains-in-force-276763">Latvia’s Interior Ministry: Cold weather is no reason to relax – enhanced border security remains in force</a> appeared first on <a href="https://bnn-news.com">Baltic News Network</a>.</p>

<p>President of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs has returned amendments to the Education Law to the Saeima for reconsideration, which would significantly restrict access to distance learning in the first stage of primary education – for pupils in grades 1 to 6, presidential adviser Mārtiņš Drēģeris reports. The President notes that, having reviewed the text of the [&#8230;]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://bnn-news.com/latvias-president-slams-the-brakes-on-rushed-restrictions-on-distance-learning-in-primary-school-276758">Latvia’s President slams the brakes on rushed restrictions on distance learning in primary school</a> appeared first on <a href="https://bnn-news.com">Baltic News Network</a>.</p>